Buckeyes out for payback against Illini

Wednesday

Sep 23, 2009 at 12:01 AMSep 23, 2009 at 11:22 PM

First, No. 13 Ohio State got mad. Now the Buckeyes want to get even with Illinois and anyone talking trash about coach Jim Tressel. Tabbed as the Big Ten favorite in the preseason after winning four straight conference titles, the Buckeyes didn't enjoy a pleasant start to the season. A loss at home to USC earlier this month left fans upset over conservative play calling. And on Monday, Ohio State watched the film of Illinois celebrating on the Ohio State logo at midfield in 2007 after Illinois upset the top-ranked Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium.

John Supinie

First, No. 13 Ohio State got mad. Now the Buckeyes want to get even with Illinois and anyone talking trash about coach Jim Tressel.

Tabbed as the Big Ten favorite in the preseason after winning four straight conference titles, the Buckeyes didn't enjoy a pleasant start to the season. A loss at home to USC earlier this month left fans upset over conservative play calling.

On Monday, Ohio State watched the film of Illinois celebrating on the Ohio State logo at midfield in 2007 after Illinois upset the top-ranked Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium.

"The first thing we saw at the team meeting was them stomping on the Block O,'' said Ohio State linebacker Austin Spitler. "That's in the back of our heads. That rallies you up and gets you ready to get going.''

When Illinois (1-1) plays at Ohio State (2-1) in the Big Ten opener Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC), the Buckeyes sound like they want to take out some of their anger on Illinois, just like they did last weekend in a 38-0 victory over Toledo in Cleveland. If Illinois didn't get Ohio State's attention by winning for the seventh time in the last 10 trips to Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes remember the finish, when a post-game scuffle tarnished Illinois' celebration.

They didn't like it then – "You don't need to act like a bunch of punks after the game,'' Ohio State tackle Kirk Barton told reporters after losing on his Senior Day – and Spitler said they don't like it now. It was a big day in Illinois history, and Ohio State hasn't forgotten.

That's only part of the issue for Ohio State. Expectations are different on the banks of the Olentangy River, and Ohio State can't get much love even in Columbus. After his play calling was ripped as mundane by unhappy fans, Tressel reacted by criticizing those who criticized him, drawing even more heat.

Tressel said the most "raunchy'' emails came from "miserable'' fans after he played it close to the sweater vest in the 18-15 loss at home to USC. Tressel opted for a field goal on fourth and goal at the USC 1-yard line early in the second quarter. He also chose to punt on fourth and 1 at the USC 45 in the third quarter.

Holding a 15-10 lead in the fourth quarter, Tressel punted again on a fourth and 11 at the USC 36.

"The thing when I read some of them is I feel terrible for them because there's no way they're happy," Tressel said. "They've got to be some of the most unhappy people in the world, and I feel bad because we just made them less happy. I mean, they're already miserable and to make them less happy, I feel bad."

In his first eight seasons as Ohio State coach, Tressel won a national championship, appeared in the title game two more times and claimed five conference titles. The Buckeyes have won 10 games or more in each of the last four seasons. Yet losses in the last three bowl games – two of them blowouts in the national championship game – tarnished his image.

"The outsiders say we're unable to win the big game against the big opponents, the SEC schools,'' Spitler said. "People are always looking for someone to blame. They chose to blame coach Tress. When things go wrong, people want to point fingers.''

When things go right, they look at sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who finished with a career high 372 total yards (262 passing, 110 rushing) against Toledo. He leads the Big Ten with 263 total yards per game.

Despite losing playmakers James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Freeman to the NFL, the Ohio State defense ranks second in the Big Ten in total defense. Ohio State forced Toledo to punt on its first 10 possessions and allowed 13 yards rushing. (The previous week, Toledo hung 54 points on Colorado.)

"Our defensive motto is, 'No names. No blames. No worries.' We're trying to make a name for ourselves,'' Spitler said.

In the process, they're trying to protect the reputation of Ohio State, Tressel and that logo in the middle of the field.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.

A look at Ohio State

Record: 2-1.

So far: Beat Navy 31-27, lost to USC 18-15, beat Toledo 38-0.

Coach: Jim Tressel, 85-20 in ninth season at Ohio State, 220-77-2 in 24th season overall.

Did you know? Running back Dan Herron scored one touchdown or more in seven consecutive games. In the last five games, he has rushed for 268 yards and six touchdowns.

Quote: "That will be a reminder, but I don't know what it will do for us. We've got to go out and do the things we have to do and get focused on what we have to do against their current personnel. But it's real, and so if it's real, then you better consider it.'' – Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, on reminding his team of the loss to Illinois in 2007.